Drivers responsible for their share of $3.4 million in unpaid fines owed to the Barberton Municipal Clerk of Courts soon might be without a driver’s license or vehicle registration.
Clerk Diana Stevenson is giving drivers until March 1 to pay their fines or face a block on their driver’s license or plate registration through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The block is not a license suspension. Rather, it bars drivers from renewing plates or licenses.
Stevenson, who took office last month, called the totals owed to the court district “staggering.” The money the clerk collects is distributed to the state, Summit County and the Barberton court district.
“If we are diligent in making people pay, it benefits the entire community,” Stevenson said.
In addition to the block, arrest warrants will be issued for those with unpaid fines. The block also will apply to those who have fallen more than 90 days behind in their payment plan already in place with the clerk’s office.
Those who are unable to pay before March 1 should appear in court to make payment arrangements.
Judges will be available Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
Payments can be made from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at the clerk’s office, 576 W. Park Ave., in downtown Barberton. Cash, checks, money orders or major credit cards are accepted. Payments can be mailed to the office.
Credit card payments also can be made at the clerk’s website: www.cityofbarberton.com/clerkofcourts.
For more information, call 330-861-7191.
